Behind the Names: Origins of the Garratyverse Cast

✨ Introduction: Where Memory Meets Myth

The Garratyverse didn’t arrive fully formed—it grew, name by name, from the soil of memory, friendship, and imagination. Some characters were born from childhood crushes or fleeting encounters. Others carry the names of mentors, friends, or people I once knew in passing but never forgot. And a few are simply tributes to the stories and pop culture that shaped me.

This list isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look at character creation—it’s a personal map of the emotional and creative terrain I’ve traveled. As I prepare for another kind of transition in real life, revisiting these names reminds me that storytelling is a kind of homecoming. It’s where the past finds new life, and where even the smallest memories can become myth.

🧠 Behind the Names: Origins of the Garratyverse Cast

Every fictional universe has its own mythology—but in the Garratyverse, the names themselves carry stories. Some are tributes, some are echoes of childhood, and others are playful nods to pop culture. Here’s a look at how the characters in Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, and Comings and Goings got their names—and the real-life inspirations behind them.

🌟 The Original: Jim Garraty

• James Kevin Garraty (“Jim” or “Jimmy”)
  Born in 1987, Jim is the nucleus of the Garratyverse. His name is a fusion of James T. Kirk from Star Trek and Ray Garraty, the protagonist of Stephen King’s The Long Walk. A blend of boldness and vulnerability, Jim’s name sets the tone for everything that follows.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The 1998/2018 Crew: Reunion: A Story

• Mark A. Prieto
  Named after my best friend from Coral Estates Park in Westchester, Dade County (1975–1978). Mark’s presence is a tribute to enduring friendship and the kind of loyalty that shapes a lifetime.
• Martina Elizabeth Reynaud (“Marty”)
  A dual homage to tennis legend Martina Navratilova and my friend Elizabeth (Betsy) Matteis. Marty’s name reflects strength, grace, and a personal connection to excellence.
• Mrs. DeVargas
  Jim’s 12th-grade English teacher, named after Sallie C. DeWitt, my own teacher. A nod to the mentors who shape our voice and vision.
• Mrs. Elizabeth Quincy
  Jim’s chorus teacher, inspired by Ms. Joan Owen from South Miami High. Her name sings with the echoes of musical guidance and artistic encouragement.
• Dr. Henry Townsend
  Jim’s boss at Columbia University, named after Henry Townsend, son of Peter C. Townsend, my journalism professor at Miami-Dade Community College, South Campus. A name that bridges academia and personal history.

📘 The 2025 Additions: Reunion: Coda & Comings and Goings

• Madison Reynaud (“Maddie”)
  Inspired by Madison Avenue and Darryl Hannah’s mermaid character in Splash. Maddie’s name evokes charm, mystery, and a touch of whimsy.
• Carrie Wentworth  Jim’s ex-wife
  Loosely inspired by my second elementary school girlfriend. Carrie’s name carries the bittersweet nostalgia of young love and the complexities of adult relationships.
• Kathy Maraschino (“Cherry”) Jim’s first ex-girlfriend
  A delicious blend of several Kathys I knew in school and, of course, the iconic maraschino cherry. Cherry’s name is playful, sweet, and tinged with junior high romance.
• Cheryl Lynn
  A composite of Cheryl T., my one-day girlfriend in 1972, and several women named Lynn. Cheryl Lynn’s name is a nod to fleeting connections and the way brief encounters can linger.
• Thomas Reynaud
  Named after Thomas Wikman, a friend, fellow blogger, and author. Thomas anchors the Reynaud family with quiet diplomatic presence and a calm demeanor.
• Patricia Reynaud
  Inspired by Patricia “Patti” Aliventi, another blogging friend. Patricia’s name adds warmth and maternal strength to the Reynaud lineage.

• Kelly Moore
  First mentioned in Reunion: Coda, Kelly is based on Kelly Marie Moore, my ninth-grade crush at Riviera Junior High (1979–1980). Her name is a tender tribute to adolescent longing and the spark of memory.
• Detective Susan Wallace
  A fascinating twist: if my former New Hampshire co-tenant had been born a girl, this would’ve been her name. Instead, he was named Stuart. Susan Wallace represents the “what ifs” of identity and imagination.
• Nicole Boisvert
  Jim’s colleague and brief post-divorce lover. “Nicole” was a name I simply liked, and “Boisvert” was the maiden name of the real Kelly Moore’s mother. A name that blends admiration with subtle homage. (She’s also briefly mentioned in Reunion: A Story, but she has a bigger role in the novel.)

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✍️ Why It Matters

The Garratyverse isn’t just fiction—it’s a mosaic of lived experience, cultural touchstones, and emotional memory. These names aren’t random; they’re chosen with care, each one a thread in the larger tapestry of my storytelling. They remind us that behind every character is a story, and behind every story is a life.

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